LOVES PARK — Grace Lutheran Church’s generosity is helping area students gain skills they might not learn in a classroom.

Up to 150 Loves Park Elementary School students walk across the street to the church after school on Fridays for snacks, group games and breakout sessions where youngsters are taught life skills, such as woodworking, cooking, dancing and knitting. The event is called Friday Fun Fest.

Lisa Cunz, vice president of the Loves Park Elementary Parent Teacher Association, said two of her children have gained computer skills, knitted a headband and crafted masterpieces during these weekend kickoff activities.

While it’s great watching her youngsters pick up new skills, she said it’s also about watching others experience new activities — especially those who may not have had the opportunity otherwise.

“I am very impressed for how small the church is and how much of an impact they have,” Cunz said. “Without them, there would be a lot of things they probably couldn’t do or wouldn’t experience.”

Friday Fun Fest started in 2009 when Grace Lutheran Church members wanted to become more involved in the community and foster relationships.

Volunteers wanted the children to feel they had a safe place to turn to and adults willing to listen to them. Church members agreed not to talk about religion with the youngsters during Friday Fun Fest and instead let their actions show how their faith guides them.

“We want to show the grace and love of Christ through our actions and not necessarily do it with words,” Associate Pastor Dustin Lenz said. “They know people are looking out for them — not just at church or at school but wherever they are.”

Volunteer Jean Humphries, who helps run the cooking activities, said the children have learned that adults can have a good time, too. She assists the youngsters with creating delicious treats, like fruit kabobs and cupcakes in a mug.

Although it can get hectic with dozens of kids running around the church, she enjoys watching the participants grow up in the program.

“After a long week at school a lot of them look forward to it. We’re told that we’re pretty brave to do it, but we have a pretty good group of volunteers, and the kids really cooperate,” Humphries said.